Excursion Planning
Shore Excursions are exciting tours, shows and other activities you can take advantage of while visiting various ports and cruisetour cities. Our excursion programs are coordinated with reputable tour operators and cover all the “must-see” sites and “must-do” activities of your destination.
Excursions are not included in the price of your cruise vacation and can be reserved separately through a travel agent, Certified Vacation Planner, or through the Royal Caribbean website.
Royal Caribbean’s excursions include:
- Adventure Tours – Looking for a real adventure? We’ve got you covered. Horseback riding, mountain biking, parasailing, rain forest hiking, and 4×4 off-roading are just a few examples of what you can do.
- Beach and/or Water-Related Activities – You’ll find everything from a relaxing day at a secluded beach to active adventures like whitewater rafting. Choose from glass-bottom boat tours, romantic sunset cruises, deep-sea fishing, kayaking and more.
- Cuisine Tours – Whether it’s tapas tasting in Spain, a pub tour in Ireland, a salmon bake in Alaska or another one of our culinary adventures, these excursions will give you a taste of the local flavor.
- Flightseeing – Sightseeing from the sky is bound to give you a new perspective. Soar high above exotic waterfalls or take a helicopter ride above ice fields in Alaska. This is truly an amazing way to see the sights.
- Golf – Tee off on exciting golf courses like the Cozumel Country Club, Bermuda’s Belmont Hills Golf Club, or St. Thomas’ Mahogany Run Golf Course.
- Shows & Entertainment – Stroll through world-famous museums or sit back and be entertained. Watch native dances in Alaska, enjoy a live mariachi band in Mexico and more.
- Sightseeing and/or City Tours – Explore the ports of call on your cruise vacation with one of our Sightseeing & City Tours. Whether you’re looking for a guided tour or time to explore on your own, we have something for all ages and interests.
- Snorkel & SCUBA Tours – Enter the underwater world. Learn the basics of SCUBA, or if you’re certified, sign up for an advanced dive. Not ready for SCUBA? Try snuba, a shallow-water diving system, or slip on a special diving helmet and go Sea Trekking.
- Wilderness & Wildlife Tours – Get up close and personal with dolphins, manatees, moose, bear, caribou, monkeys and more. We offer tours that allow you to observe them in their natural habitats as well as animal adventure centers.”
We make sure all our excursions are the best of the best – so of course we recommend them all. We strive to include a wide variety of activities to accommodate all tastes and styles.
The best way to find an excursion that’s right for you is to read the description carefully and take things like activity level and personal preference into consideration.
You are not obligated to book an excursion with Royal Caribbean International in order to leave the ship. Public transportation is available at most ports. We suggest you visit your local library, bookstore or a pertinent website to determine where you would like to go.
While onboard the ship, all guests will be advised as to when they should be back on board the ship prior to sailing. Generally, the ship’s all on board time is scheduled approximately 30 minutes prior to sailing; this time should be verified once on board and will be posted near the ship’s gangway. Kindly note that the ship will not wait for any guest faring on their own, as it is the guest’s responsibility to be onboard before the ship’s scheduled departure time.
Please be aware that we cannot offer any alternatives from Royal Caribbean International’s established excursion program. All Royal Caribbean International excursion programs are coordinated with reputable tour operators and include a comprehensive overview of the most popular sites of interest. Royal Caribbean International will not be liable for any loss, injury or damage to any person or property arising from guests choosing to tour the port on their own. Our excursions are an exciting, reliable way to enjoy the sights and activities our ports have to offer. If you choose to tour the port on your own, please use the same safety precautions you would in any urban or tourist area. We cannot validate or account for conditions that may not be suitable or safe for our guests.
Please keep in mind that some ports have visa requirements and restrictions that may prevent you for venturing off on your own.
You are not obligated to reserve an excursion with Royal Caribbean International in order to leave the ship. Please be aware that we cannot offer any alternatives from Royal Caribbean International’s established excursion program. All Royal Caribbean International excursion programs are coordinated with reputable tour operators and include a comprehensive overview of the most popular sites of interest.
Royal Caribbean International will not be liable for any loss, injury or damage to any person or property arising from guests choosing to tour the port on their own. We cannot validate or account for conditions that may not be suitable or safe for our guests.
Please keep in mind that some ports have visa requirements and restrictions that may prevent you for venturing off on your own.
Please Note: Refunds for independent excursions will not be provided in the event of cancelled/missed ports.
Excursions reserved independently from Royal Caribbean International will not receive preferred disembarkation. Guests with reservations on Royal Caribbean International excursions will be allowed off first and all designated guests thereafter. We cannot guarantee that guests with independent arrangements will disembark early. Please be guided accordingly.
Please Note: Refunds for independent excursions will not be provided in the event of cancelled/missed ports.
U.S. Citizens and Non U.S. citizens will need valid passports in order to leave and enter the United States. Non U.S. Citizens will sometimes need visas, as well as any other travel documentation required by the governments of the countries on the itinerary. For visas/inoculations, please check with your travel agent, government agencies, embassies or consulates, your physician local health department or the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Traveler’s Health website to determine travel and health documentary requirements.Health
All guests must ensure that they are medically and physically fit for travel. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) provide guidelines as to which vaccinations are required in each country. In many cases inoculations are recommended but in some circumstances they are required. We recommend that you check with your health care professional or a Travel Medicine Specialist certified by the WHO for guidance. Other informational resources can be accessed at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Traveler’s Health website or toll free at 1-877-FYI-TRIP, and the World Health Organization website.
There isn’t a separate printed Shore Excursions brochure pamphlet. This information is contained within the cruise ticket document. Please open the cruise ticket document upon receipt to the table of contents and look for an item named Shore Excursion Information. Please refer to the page number outlined for access to this pertinent information.
Guests visiting our website can now have the capability of downloading and printing a Shore Excursions brochure up to 310 days prior to sailing (where applicable). The Shore Excursions brochure is in PDF file format only by specific ship and sail date. The information on the screen can be reviewed or printed if desired. In order to print, click on the Print icon. Please note that you will be unable to modify the document.
You may also access at Download a Shore & Land Excursions Brochure.
Simply enter the following information: Ship, Sail Date, and Currency, and click on Submit.
Acrobat® Reader® is required in order to view the document. If you do not already have Acrobat Reader, a link for download is provided for your convenience. Remember that your computer’s javascript must be enabled in order to provide functionality on our website.
Please see our Terms and Conditions page for detailed information regarding cancellation and refunds.
Please Note: Refunds for independent excursions will not be provided in the event of cancelled/missed ports.
Given the events over the last few years, having the proper travel documents has been a considerable concern of many guests prior to enjoying a carefree vacation. Passport, visa and inoculation regulations may vary by destination and may change from time to time. For your protection, we recommend that your passport expiration date not occur within six (6) months of the sailing termination date. It is the sole responsibility of the guest to obtain and have available when necessary the appropriate valid travel and health documents such as passports, visas, vaccination certificates, etc., that are necessary for air travel, disembarkation at the various ports of call and re-entry into the appropriate country of origin.
Visa
Based on nationality, many countries still require an entry visa. It is the guests’ responsibility to identify and to obtain all the necessary visas before commencing their cruise.
If your sailing includes a stop in Egypt, a visa is required for many nationalities including US and Canadian citizens, but may not be the only visa required for these sailings based on your nationality.
Suggestions on where to obtain visa information:
- (1) U.S. Citizens can visit the U.S. Department of State Foreign Entry Requirements.
- (2) Canadian citizens can visit Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada.
- (3) The Embassies (Consular Service Office) of each country on your sailing itinerary
- (4) The visa service of your choice, such as CIBT for specific visa requirements, information, forms and fees that apply to your nationality
VisaCentral a CIBT Company
website: https://www.visacentral.com/royalcaribbean
toll free telephone: 1.800.858.8579
email: [email protected]
Consecutive Sailings
Guests on consecutive sailings must ensure they have the proper travel documents for their entire cruise vacation.
For Russia
Note: All guests going ashore (even guests on shore excursions) must provide a photocopy of their passport details (page with picture and personal information) to the Russian Immigration Officials.
Guests who purchase any available shore excursion or arrange for an independent car or van organized through Royal Caribbean Cruises in St. Petersburg will not require a visa for Russia. Under such conditions, guests will need to present (a) a valid passport (b) a Royal Caribbean Cruises tour ticket and (c) one photocopy of passport page showing guest picture and personal information to the Russian Immigration officer as they depart the ship.
However, please note that without a visa, visitation is limited to the period of the excursion and you will not be permitted to leave the ship outside of the tour hours without a Russian Tourist Visa. Guests who wish to sightsee independently or sightsee outside of Royal Caribbean Cruises’ shore excursion hours MUST obtain an individual Russian Tourist Visa before leaving home. Russian Tourist Visas cannot be issued during your cruise. Guests who have not purchased a shipboard organized shore excursion and do not possess a valid Russian tourist Visa will not be permitted ashore in St. Petersburg.
Guests with an Individual Tourist Visa must present (a) a valid passport (b) Russian Tourist Visa (c) one photocopy of passport page showing guest picture and personal information and (d) a confirmation letter or voucher from your Russian tour company sponsoring your Russian Tourist Visa to the Russian Immigration Officer as you depart the ship.
Russian Tourist Visa Sponsorship
Should you wish to obtain an individual Russian Tourist Visa, you will need to be sponsored by a licensed Russian Tour Company. This company will have to create a program and provide a voucher to the guests confirming all the arrangements along with a reference letter which includes a visa reference number. Once a visa has been issued, it needs to reference the same Russian tour provider as the voucher confirmation. A Russia Tourist Visa will not be accepted by the Russian Immigration official as valid without a confirmation voucher for pre-arranged services.
Guests should consider the following when selecting a tour provider in St. Petersburg:
- The tour provider needs to be licensed to operate in Russia and authorized to provide services to foreign visitors.
- The tour provider must be authorized to issue Russian visa reference numbers.
- The tour provider should be authorized and have a permit to meet the guest inside the Port of St. Petersburg. If the tour provider is not authorized to enter the port area, you will be advised to meet them at the port entrance, which is located approximately 3 miles from the ship.
The Russian Tourist Visa issued and stamped on your passport will only apply to the referenced tour company, the person named on the visa and for a specific travel date. The sponsor of each tourist visa is legally required to be the provider of services for the guest named on the visa and will have their license revoked if a visa holder is found ashore without a pre-arranged activity.
The above requirements are subject to revision at any time without prior notification to the cruise line. Once onboard the ship, adjustment to the current regulations will be provided as we receive them from the Russian officials. Please also be aware that these regulations can also be at the discretion of the individual officers on duty on the day of arrival and may vary at any time.
For Papua New Guinea
Guests will be able to secure visa onboard the vessel for a one-time fee of less than $50 per person which will be charged to their onboard account.
Inoculation/Health
We recommend that all guests, regardless of their sailing date check with their health care professional or a Travel Medicine Specialist certified by the WHO for guidance. Other informational resources can be accessed at the Centers for Disease Control Traveler’s Health website.
As detailed in our brochure, all guests must ensure that they are medically and physically fit for travel. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization website. (WHO) provide guidelines as to which vaccinations are required in each country. In many cases inoculations are recommended, but in some circumstances they are required.
Guest can browse all excursions within our program. From the homepage, go to ‘Before You Board’ located on the top navigation bar. From the dropdown menu, click on “Shore Excursions”.
From the ‘Researching your Shore Excursions’ section, – select
- Browse by Activity Type
- Browse by Ports of Call
- Browse by Ship and Sail Date
Or you can go to “PLAN A CRUISE” and select any of the options below in your dropdown menu:
To Search for Shore Excursions for a specific DESTINATION
- Scroll down the page and click on your desired destination.
- Once there, you will see the Learn More About section on the right hand side of the page. Click on the link that says Shore Excursions in…
To search for Shore Excursions in a specific PORT
- Scroll down the page and click on either Ports of Departure or your desired Destination.
- Once on the Port of Call page for your destination, click on your desired City or Port of Call.
- Once there, you will see the Learn More About section on the right hand side of the page. Click on the link that says Shore Excursions in…
To search for Shore Excursions on a specific CRUISETOUR
- Select your Cruisetour destination and go to the ‘Learn More About’ section to view further details.
To search for Shore Excursions on a specific SHIP’s itinerary
- Select any ship from our fleet and to go the “Learn More About” section and click on the Ports of Call link for further details.
From ACTIVITIES
- Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on Shore Excursions link.
A Shore Excursions may reflect an infant at the price of zero. Depending on the specific excursion, infants within a range on/or about ages 0 to 3 years old (unless tour specifies differently) must sit on a parent’s lap. ‘Lap babies’ (not occupying seat) are free on Shore Excursions. Excursion tickets will indicate no charge within the confirmation summary. Once onboard the ship the shore excursion staff must be advised of the infant’s participation accordingly.
[/otw_shortcode_content_toggle] [otw_shortcode_content_toggle title=”Groups: Can you refer me to an outside tour operator or Destination Management Company?” css_class=”rcfh-toggler” opened=”closed”]Refunds for independent excursions will not be provided in the event of cancelled/missed ports.
- From the MY CRUISES link, located on the global header of every page, you can create your my Cruises Account.
- With a My Cruises account, you can review reservations either made online, over the phone or with a travel professional.
- Once you click on the My Cruises link, please click on the “Want to create a MY CRUISES account” follow the instructions provided.
Is the guest a wheelchair/ scooter user?
Can the guest do minimal walking?
Can the guest climb up and down the steps of the motor-coach?
Is the wheelchair manual non-collapsible / manual collapsible / electric non-collapsible / electric collapsible?
Is guest traveling with someone capable of assisting him/her?
If guest CANNOT negotiate motor coach steps, include:
Combined weight (guest seated on wheelchair),
Combined height (guest seated on wheelchair)
Wheelchair length
Wheelchair width
If guest CAN negotiate motor coach steps, include:
Wheelchair length
Wheelchair width
Wheelchair height
Wheelchair weight
All Accessible vehicles have rules of compliance that vary per tour operator. Guests in need of an Accessible vehicle to participate on a tour must submit the following wheelchair information for verification purposes.
Wheelchair length, width,
Combined weight (guest seated on wheelchair)
Combined height (guest seated on wheelchair)
[/otw_shortcode_content_toggle] [otw_shortcode_content_toggle title=”What are “Easy” Tours?” css_class=”rcfh-toggler” opened=”closed”] Easy tours are tours designed for full time wheelchair users or guests unable to negotiate motorcoach steps. They are available in some ports based on the transportation we have been able to secure.
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